Sunday, May 5, 2013

Horse experts say that a horse should have pasture time
every day for 16 to 18 hours.

They recommend between 1 and 1 ½ acres of pasture per
horse. This is where the horses graze,
exercise, hang out with his herd, play, mutually groom each other – a great
stress reliever.

But alas, it does not
exist in NYC. New York City carriage
horses have no turnout to pasture.

Instead, the stables are old warehouse-like buildings with
no access to green pasture. When a
horse finishes his nine-hour workday, he is taken back to the stable and put in his
inadequately sized stall until the next day.
The stalls are less than half what experts recommend – 60 sq. ft legally
– as opposed to 144 –196 sq. ft. This
is like squeezing Cinderella’s sister’s foot into her slipper. The horses cannot lie down comfortably and
stretch out their limbs. Only a few years ago, it was actually worse - 48 sq. ft. And the "industry," always in denial, defended it.

Is the horse washed and groomed after he returns from working when he
is still sweaty? Or is he groomed in the
morning when he is taken out to work having had to stay the night in his sweat?
Or does it happen at all? There are no legal requirements and it is
expected that these “horse experts” will do what is right for the horse and not
themselves. But we have seen some of
the horses with urine and feces stains on their hides and many look like they
have not been brushed and groomed in a long time.

But hey – what do we
know – the carriage supporters say we know nothing about horses while they have
all the answers. Our complaints are met
with defensive insults and denials. This is their M.O.

For five weeks out of the year, horses are required by law
to be sent for “furlough.” The NYC
Department of Health claims not to have a record of the farms, nor do they inspect
them. It is not required. The public does not know if these horses are
made to work, are fed properly – or are kept in a stall for the duration of
their time away. It is simply not
known. In a NY Post article dated
November 2, 2011, Dr. Pamela Corey, former director of equine veterinary
services of the ASPCA’s humane law-enforcement department said, “We have
observed some horses returning to New York City after furloughs on a farm in
worse condition than when they left.”
No one ever investigated this statement.

But the gullible media – never wanting to challenge an issue
– refers to this time away as a “vacation” – not understanding
that this word is a human concept.

These horses do not need vacation. They need daily turnout.
And they do not get it.

Experts say that pastured horses are generally happier than
stabled horses. It is a more natural
lifestyle allowing them the opportunity to socialize with their herd; roll,
play or do nothing if they choose. They
have the opportunity for natural exercise.
They get to act like real horses – not horse slaves.

NYC carriage horse standing over a manhole from which steam is pouring.

This is an excellent article called “Pasturing Guidelinesfor Horses” written by Dr. Judy Marteniuk, equine extension veterinarian at
Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.

So the next time you see a carriage horse pulling a carriage around Central Park, please know that he does not live in the park. Those green lawns are simply a tease. And know that these gentle horses are quietly suffering because they do not live like they should.

This is yet another reason to close down this inhumane and abusive business and save the horses.